As you may know from earlier emails, FOCA, the "Freedom of Choice Act," has reared its ugly head. State Catholic Conference Directors, the USCCB General Counsel's Office and the Pro-Life Secretariat have become very concerned that FOCA would sweep away hundreds of pro-life laws and policies at the state and federal level.

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DATE:           September 30, 2008

FROM:           Sr. Mary Ann Walsh (USCCB Media Relations)

                                                                                    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

WASHINGTON—In a statement to mark Respect Life Sunday, October 5, Cardinal Justin Rigali of Philadelphia urged Catholics “to help build a culture in which every human life without exception is respected and defended.”

            “Let us rededicate ourselves to defending the basic rights of those who are weakest and most marginalized: the poor, the homeless, the innocent unborn, and the frail and elderly who need our respect and our assistance,” he said.

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DATE:           September 26, 2008
 
FROM:           Mar Muñoz-Visoso (USCCB Media Relations)
  
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

WASHINGTON—Bishop William Murphy of Rockville Centre, New York, chairman of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops' Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development, urged the Bush Administration and Congress, September 26, to consider the moral aspects of the current financial crisis.

He stressed responsibility, accountability, awareness of advantages and limitations of the market, solidarity, subsidiarity and the common good, in the search for just and effective responses to the economic turmoil, while considering its human impact and ethical dimensions.
The text of the letter follows.

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Fr. Vedast Gaston Diels, SS.CC., 89, passed away on Saturday, September 27, 2008 in Wahiawa General Hospital. Fr. Chris Keahi, Provincial Superior, was able to visit and bless Fr. Gaston Friday after he was admitted into the hospital from his foster care home in Waialua.

Please remember Fr. Gaston in your Masses and prayers. May his soul rest in the peace of Christ.

More information will be forthcoming.

[END]

Bishop Larry Silva is pleased to announce the following:

1. Mr. James Severson will become acting Diocesan Finance Officer (DFO) effective October 1, 2008. He will be available in the office beginning October 20th. His contact info is: jseverson@rcchawaii.org and 585.3331. Until October 20th, please contact Ipo Camara for assistance (ipo@rcchawaii.org and 585.3332). Mr. Severson is former Vice President of Financial and Regulatory Affairs for The Gas Company, and long time member of the Diocesan Finance Council. He is a member of St. John Vianney Parish, Kailua. A search is being conducted for a permanent DFO. Congratulations and mahalo to Jim.

2. Mr. Marvin Choy has been selected for the position of Assistant Controller. Marvin, long time Accountant in the diocesan business office and most recently Business Manager at the Co-Cathedral, returns to the diocese in a position of greater responsibility. He begins officially on October 20th (marvin@rcchawaii.org; phone forthcoming). Welcome back Marvin!

3. Mr. Michael Griffith, former Internal Auditor for the diocese, was named Controller effective April 1, 2008. Thank you Mike for your continuing service in this challenging position.

[END]

The remaining Vicariate town hall meetings have all been scheduled:

• East Hawaii: Thursday, November 13th, 7:00 pm at St. Joseph, Hilo


• Leeward Oahu: Tuesday, November 18th, 7:00 pm at St. Jude, Makakilo

Completed Meetings: (Thank you for attending!)

• West Honolulu: Tuesday, August 12th, 6:30 pm at the Co-Cathedral, Kalihi


• East Honolulu: Thursday, August 14th, 7:00 pm at St. Pius X, Manoa


• Molokai: Monday, August 25th, 6:00 pm at St. Sophia, Kaunakakai

• Central Oahu: Wednesday, July 30th, 7:00 pm at Resurrection of the Lord, Waipio

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The 2007 year-end (June, 2007) audit report, conducted by Detor & Williams, is now available online.

The Stewardship Report 2006-2007 appeared in the July 25, 2008 edition of the Hawaii Catholic Herald.

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